30+ OF EXPERIENCE

Los Angeles Maritime Institute was founded over 30+ years ago to provide educational adventure sails for at-risk youth. We do this and more as we head towards our third decade on the water.

AWARD WINNING YOUTH PROGRAMS

Our TopSail Youth Program and our TopSail STEM Program continue to win awards and accolades from the education community, government leaders, and the maritime industry for our approach to leadership training, experiential education, and our ability to prepare youth for careers in marine biology and the maritime trades.

THE OFFICIAL TALL SHIPS

Our twin brigantines, Exy Johnson and Irving Johnson were designated the “Official Tall Ships and Maritime Youth Ambassadors of the City of Los Angeles by the Mayor and City Council of Los Angeles. Our 3-masted gaf rigged schooner, the American Pride is the “Official Tall Ship” of the City of Long Beach”

OPTIONS GALORE

You may be an educator looking to engage your class through our VirtualVoyage digital classes. You may be thinking to book a day sail for a field trip, to celebrate a special occasion, or create a leadership experience for your team or conference attendees. Our range of sailing and dockside options are what keep people choosing us for their group.

Welcome to Los Angeles Maritime Institute!

About Our Programs

Los Angeles Maritime Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses hands-on experiences at sea to provide an array of social, education, and leadership development opportunities to middle school and high school students in San Pedro and Wilmington, and throughout Los Angeles County. Our TopSail Youth Program is offered year-round aboard the Tall Ships SSV Irving Johnson and SSV Exy Johnson, 110-foot traditionally rigged vessels named after sail training pioneers who sailed around the world seven times with young crews. Our purpose-built vessels and their young crews were proclaimed the “Official Tall Ships and Maritime Ambassadors of the City of Los Angeles” at their launch in 2002.

We offer:
• Day programs and voyages
• Hands-on STEM learning
• Maritime skill-building and sea-time certification
• Boatbuilding
• Private charters
• Community sails
• Volunteer Youth Crew Program
• Adult volunteer program

MISSION

The Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) serves to empower youth to discover their greater potential through extraordinary at-sea experiences aboard educational sailing vessels built to train and equip young people with 21st-century leadership skills, and inspire maritime and STEM career paths.

VISION

We envision a thriving community where every young person can look to the future with confidence and navigate successfully and responsibly in life.
MORE ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION

PROGRAMS

Explore the Coast/Explora la Costa

One Saturday per month, at 2:00 pm, Los Angeles Maritime Institute invites you to join us for a coastal awareness educational experience and exploration sail aboard one of our tall ships. The ship departs from Berth 78 in San Pedro’s Ports o’ Call Village for a 2 hour round trip excursion along the coastline.

Topsail STEM Program

Our TopSail STEM Adventure Program builds on our signature program and expands the STEM framework organic to our program. Tall ships are exciting hands-on STEM learning environments!

Topsail Youth Program

Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s award-winning TopSail Youth Program exposes youth to a world beyond their communities where they are provided with real-life challenges and hands-on learning opportunities not available in the traditional classroom. Youth who have participated in our program become role models for other youth, demonstrating firsthand the power of at-sea experiences to change lives!

Youth Crew Program

This volunteer program for ages 13-19 has become well established as a vital component of LAMI’s mission.

Summer Camp

While at sea or on land, Voyager Camp will explore topics in marine biology, maritime history, island ecology and have some fun with traditional Maritime arts!  Learn the ropes as you challenge yourself with exciting new opportunities: leaving the dock, setting and adjusting sails, keeping a ship on course, setting the anchor, and living aboard a ship for a week.

Private charters for weddings, team building, retirement parties, and birthdays

CONTACT US TO DISCUSS
BOOK YOUR SAIL TODAY

RECENT NEWS & EVENTS

May172023

Grads & Dads

Grads & Dads Be part of the boat parade and enjoy the best view of fireworks in the port from the deck of a tall ship! Sunday, June18th, 2023 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM $60 – Adult $30 – Child (12 & Under)

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May172023

Juneteenth Sail

Sail on a tall ship, see the port of LA, and Learn about the Myla program. Join Us! Free 2 Hour trips, For youth ages 10 – 17, parents & chaperones are Welcome. Sail Again & Bring a friend. * Be part of the boat parade and enjoy the best view of fireworks in the port from the deck of a tall ship! Monday, June19th, 2023, 1 PM – 3 PM, 4 PM – 6 PM, 7 PM – 9:30 PM

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